Method for making partially separated multibags

Abstract

There is provided a method for making a supply of partially separated multibag units, comprising first passing a perforated chain of side-sealed bags through a first set of driven nip rollers, then passing said chain directly to a second set of nip rollers having a partial nip of selected width less than the width of said chain, while driving said second nip rollers at a speed greater than said first nip rollers sufficient to partially separate the bags at their respective lines of perforation, and while cyclically completing the nip of said second nip rollers at predetermined intervals corresponding to the number of bags desired in each multibag unit. Associated apparatus for making said partially separated multibag units is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for making a supply of partially separated multibag units, comprising: (a) passing a perforated chain of side-sealed bags through a first set of driven nip rollers; then   (b) passing said chain directly to a second set of nip rollers, having a partial nip of selected width less than the width of said chain; while   (c) driving said second nip rollers at a speed greater than said first nip rollers sufficient to partially separate the bags at their respective lines of perforation; and while   (d) cyclically completing the nip of said second nip rollers at predetermined intervals corresponding to the number of bags desired in each multibag unit.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, further comprising spacing said second nip rollers up-course of said first set of nip rollers by a distance equal to or less than about 2 bag widths. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting said partial nip within the interior of the width of said bag chain. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting said partial nip to begin at an edge of said bag chain. 
     
     
       5. A method for making a supply of partially separated multibag units, comprising: (a) passing a perforated chain of side-sealed bags through a first set of driven nip rollers; then   (b) passing said chain directly to a second set of nip rollers, having a partial nip of selected width being symmetric widthwise of said bag chain and extending less than the width of said chain and spaced up-course from said first set of nip rollers by a distance equal to or less than about 2 bag widths; while   (c) driving said second nip rollers at a speed greater than said first nip rollers sufficient to partially separate the bags at their respective lines of perforation; and while   (d) cyclically completing the nip of said second nip rollers at predetermined intervals corresponding to the number of bags desired in each multibag unit.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus for making a supply of partially separated multibag units, comprising: (a) means for passing a perforated chain of side-sealed bags through a first set of driven nip rollers;   (b) means for passing said chain directly to a second set of nip rollers, having a partial nip of selected width less than the width of said chain;   (c) means for driving said second nip rollers at a speed greater than said first nip rollers sufficient to partially separate the bags at their respective lines of perforation; and   (d) means for cyclically completing the nip of said second nip rollers at predetermined intervals corresponding to the number of bags desired in each multibag unit.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising means for adjusting the up-course spacing of said second set of nip rollers from said first set of nip rollers. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising means for counting bags in association with said means of element (d). 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising means for adjusting the lateral extent of and location of said partial nip width-wise of said bag chain.